Reflecting sign



2 Sheets-Sheet l L. ST.1CYR

REFLECTING SIGN Filed April 1l, 1938 April 23, 1940.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 fl-7 7 J A Louls 5I CYR kas) l.. sT. CYR

REFLECTING S IGN Filed April ll, 1958 April 23, 1940.

Patented Apr. 23, 1940 Louis St. Cyr, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 11, 1938, Serial No. 201,312

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in re'- ecting signs for both indoor and outdoor use, and for both day and night use, the signs being capable of reiiecting light so that at night the signs will give the appearance of being illuminated, the invention being highly desirable for use as advertising media, directory signs, tramo signs, etc., although the invention may have .other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

outdoors along highways.

However, such signs,

especially those designed for outdoor usage, were objectionable in that they were subject to breakage to'such an extent that the expense of maintaining the signs was, in many cases, almost prohibitive.

Such breakage, inthe majority of instances, resulted irom the mischievous throwing of stones and missiles at the sign;

In addition, signs of this character heretofore used were not as sufficiently flexible as possible, it being necessary to substantially rebuild a sign in order to change the lettering or other representations of the sign. Quite frequently, it is deadvertising from sirable for an advertiser to be able to change his week to week or month to month in an extremely economical manner.

with the foregoing in mind, i1; is an important' object of the present invention to providev a reflecting sign possessed of a high degree of reecting ability and substantially immune to breakage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a reecting sign in whicha breakable reecting medium 40 the sign is such is used, but the construction 'of as to substantially prevent the breaking of such medium by missiles hurled against the sign or substantially anythinglessy than a. deliberate and definite endeavor to destroy I the sign. 45

A further object of the invention is the provision of a sign having a. breakable reflecting medium, with means associated with the medium to maintain it in substantially original position even though 'the medium may have been broken.

- Still another object of the invention is the pro-- vision of an extremely durable `reflecting sign, substantially free from breakage, and in which the exhibitory characters may be changed with extremely small 55 time.

expense and at any desirable It is also a feature of this invention to provide a reflecting sign wherein a relatively heavy mesh protecting element is disposed in front of and in spaced relationship tothe reflecting medium to protect this medium from breakageb-y'missiles 5 orother objects hurled against the sign.'

Another feature of the invention residesin the provision of a reflecting 'sign including a grille-like element disposed in spaced relationship to the reflecting medium and in `fr`nt of the reflecting medium, the grille-like element being of metal or any other substantially' unbreakable material.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a reflecting sign havingy a substantially unbreakl5 able grille disposed infront of and in spaced relationship to the reecting medium, the grille havingany suitable or desired pattern which may, if so desired, be a distinctive pattern for a particular advertiser.

Still a further object of the invention resides in the provision of a reecting sign of the character set forth herein, for either indoor or outdoor use, which is highly durable and which may be economically manufactured, and in which the maintenance cost is reduced to a minimum.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages .of the present invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:' y

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front View of a re` fleeting sign embodying principles of the 'present invention; 'l

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line II-II of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

`Figure 3 is a fragmentary front view of a vre- 40 fleeting sign of slightly different construction, but also embodying improvements and` principles of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken. substantially as the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 'is a front view ofv a reecting sign embodying principles ofthe presentinvention; but in which the exhibitory characters may be changed at will, this view showing anr exhibitory 50 panel partially in position; f

Figure 6 is a front View of the structureof Figure 5, showing the exhibitory panel completely in position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical 55 indicated by sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line VII- VII of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view which may be taken. on any of lines II--II of Figure l, IV-IV of Figure 3, or VII- VII of Figure 6, illustrating means for maintaining a reflecting element in position even though it may have become cracked or broken; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevational view, with parts broken away, of a portion of the structure of Figure 8.

As shown on the drawings:

While I have illustrated the present invention in several different embodiments or variations in construction, it will be distinctly understood that the same basic principles are embodied in all of the variations. It will be further understood that the variations may be substituted one for the other in the different showings of the invention, as may be deemed most desirable or feasible.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention appearing in Figures 1 and 2, there is seen a sign mounted on any suitable form of elevated support, such as the legs I-I and which includes a back panel 2, a bounding frame 3, which preferably extends entirely around the sign, a front panel 4, and an intermediate structure between the front and back panels which will be later described.

In this instance, the front panel 4 may be made of Wood, pressed wood, plywood, metal or equivalent substantially unbreakable material. The panel is apertured in the manner of stencilling as indicated at 5 and 6 to form exhibitory characters, a doube row of exhibitory characters being illustrated in which the letters INN appear in the upper row and IT in the lower row. Such letters or other exhibitory characters are formed by merely cutting apertures of the proper shape in the front panel.

Mounted on the front face of the rear panel opposite the central openings in the front panel is a pair of reecting elements 'I and 8. Ihese elements are preferably in the nature of diffusing glass having a myriad of pimple-like projections over the entire front surface thereof, as indi-r cated in Figure 2. The back of the glass is mirrored or otherwise provided with a reflecting surface in any Well-known manner, and each of the reflecting panels and l` is secured to the back panel 2 in any suitable manner, such as by cement 9. These panels are also held in position by an upper rabbet rail I, an intermediate double rabbet rail II, and a lower rabbet rail I2. From this construction, it will be noted that the reflecting panels 'I and 8 need not be cut in conformity with the exhibitory characters, nor need they be evenly and precisely cut. but each need only be a piece of reflecting medium of suilcient size to underlie an -exhibitory character or characters as may be deemed most economical in construction. In the present instance, two reflecting panels are shown, one underlying the upper row of exhibitory characters and the other the lower row.

If color is desired in the sign, it is a simple expedient to place a strip of colored regenerated cellulose or the like anywhere in front of the reflecting panel, as more particularly set forth in my copending application entitled Reflecting sign, filed .July 26, 1937, Serial No. 155,585, the present invention being an improvement upon the disclosure in the aforesaid copending application. Consequently, it is not necessary to use Various types of reflecting media, all reflecting panels preferably being of the same construction and material.

A plurality of spacing rails I 3, I4 and I5 are disposed one each in front of the rabbet rails I0, II and I2 respectively, to space a pair of protective grilles I6 and II from the reflecting media I and 8 respectively. The grilles I6 and I'I are preferably of metal and of sufficiently wide mesh to allow ample vision of the respective reflecting media therethrough. In the instance of Figures l and 2, the grille is illustrated in the nature of hardware cloth. Such a grille will obviously prevent injury to the reflecting medium by missiles hurled against the sign, and if sufficiently large missiles are hurled with suiicient force to injure the grille, by denting it somewhat, such injury will not materially affect the usefulness of the sign, and the injury will not at all be visible at night. When objects are hurled against the sign, the grilles IS and Il cannot yield or spring into contact with the reflecting panels 'I and 8, because of the spacing rails I3, I`4 and I5, and so any impact or pressure against the grilles will not be transmitted to the glass panels.

As seen clearly in Figure 1, the use of the grilles IG- and Il do not materially reduce the reliecting quality of the sign, b-ut, on the contrary, provide a neat pattern for each exhibitory character which is pleasing in appearance and in most instances enhances the attractiveness of the sign.

As is the case with the glass panels 'i and 8, the grilles may be cut in any desirable size to fit behind one or more exhibitory characters defined by the openings in the front panel 4, and these grilles may be held in position in any suitable manner, such as by a plurality of rails, of which rails I8, I9 and 20v are exemplary. Of course, it

will be understood that the various rails mentioned hereinabove are preferably in the nature of frames extending around the areas they are to define. All of the various rails, the front panel, the back panel, and the margin frame 3 may be secured together in any well known and suitable manner. It will also be noted that the only .direct line of solid contact from the front tothe back panel is to one side of a reflecting medium. Consequently, if a stoneor other object is hurled against the front of the panel and strikes between the exhibitory characters, the pressure cannot be transmitted to the reflecting medium in a manner to cause breakage of the latter.

In that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the outer frame 3, the back panel 2, the reflecting media 'i and 8, and their attachment to the back panel, the rabbet rails or frames I0, II and I2, and the spacer rails or frames I3, I4 and I5 are all the same as previously described. This embodiment of the invention diiers from that seen in Figures 1 and 2 by the elimination of the frames or rails I8, I Il and 20, and also the grilles I6 and I'I. In this instance, however, a front panel 2| is provided which is preferably made of metal or other substantially unbreakable material. This panel is mounted directly against the spacing elements I3, I4 andl5.

A plurality of apertures 22 are provided in the front panel and spaced adjacent each other in a manner to dene exhibitory characters, such as the letters INN in the upper line and IT in the lower line'. The apertures are not, however, of sufficient size to each define a character, but numerous apertures are utilized in the deflnition of a single character, leaving 'a' grillework inbetween the apertures to function' as a; protective .grille for the reflecting panels.' The grille isdesignated'at`23 inFigure 3 and may be of any desirable configuration, the only limit being that the apertures in between the cross members of'r the 'grille be of suiiiciently small size lto prevent damaging objects and missiles being hurled therethrough.

In many instances, advertising firms, in signs, ordinary printing, letterheads and the like, have a vparticular design` worked into particular exhibitory characters, such as a firm name, notice of a" sale or the equivalent. This particular design may be in the nature of a proprietary design and is used continuously by the same advertiser. Such 'fa' proprietary l,design can very well be worked into the front panel 2|, the design itself forming a protecting grille to prevent breakage of the reflecting panel. In the illustrated instance, the grille is merely in the nature of straight cross bars, and the numerous openings forming an individual character are in the shape of rectangles or parallelograms in the case of a diagonal stroke. All or only a part of the front ofv the vsign may be covered with the metallic panel 2|, depending upon the size of the sign, the size of the reflective exhibitory characters, or for other reasons as may be deemed most economical o r feasible.

In Figures 8 and 9, I have shown a sign construction Which may be either that of Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3'and 4. In this instance, a reecting panel 'l is illustrated provided with means to hold the panel in original position in the event it may become cracked or broken. To thisI end, the reflecting panel is covered intimately with a very fine screen 24 extending over the edges of the reflecting panel, as indicated at 25, and secured tothe backboard by any suitable means, such as nails 26'. In mounting the screen inV position over the panel, it is preferably laid intimately over the panel, pressed down over the edges of the panel, and nailed in a manner to cause a stretching of the screen during the attachment to the back member. This tight screen will therefore hold pieces of the panel in position in the event it becomes cracked or broken. The screenv will, of course, be of sufficiently iine strands and of suiciently large mesh as not to materially aect the reflecting power of the panel 1. The portion of the screen illustrated in Figure 9 is of exaggerated neness and in actual practice it will be more feasible in most cases to use a screen of much coarser mesh.

In Figures 5, 6 and 7, I have illustrated a sign embodying the features of the signs above described, including the additional feature of a removable and replaceable panel so that the exe hibitory characters of the sign may be varied at will. The rear construction of the sign is substantially the same as that previously described, including the marginal frame 3, the back panel 2,

` a reecting medium or panel 1a', a rabbet frame |0'a therearound, the fine protective screen 24, and a spacer frame or rail arrangement |3a. This construction also preferably includes a protective grille, and in this instance a grille I6 has been illustrated with suitable spacer and frame means to hold it in proper position.

A front panel 21 is provided with an elongated aperture 28, this aperture being of such a size as to reveal not only a plurality of exhibitory characters, but the spaces therebetween also. Between this front panel 21 and the protective grille IE,

a rabbetfr'am'e 29 is provided -of such size and disposition as to dene a track fora slidable panel V3|). This panel 30 may be made of any suitable substantially unbreakable material, and in this instance is provided with a 'plurality of apertures or openings 3|, each of the proper shape to dene a desired exhibitory character. It is a simple expedient to provide sucha slidable panelr and equally a simple vexpedientto slide it in position in front of the protective grille I6 and behind the front panel 21 as'indicated in Figure 5.

After thepanel has beenplaced in proper position, a hinged portion 32 of the outer frame may be swung into' position, as seen in Figure V6, and secured with a padlock or any suitable locking means at the point 33 to prevent theft or unwarranted removal of the panel 30. With such means, it is obvious that the exhibitory characters may be changed very economically and practically 1at will by the user of the sign, so that a i different advertisement or exhibit may be pre' sented periodically at any desired intervals 'o1' time. The substantially unbreakable and durable character of the sign is not changed even though the exhibitory characters may be varied at Will. l

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a novel reflecting sign which is extremely durable, economical to manufacture, and in which the maintenance is reduced to a minimum. The breakable portions of the sign are amply protected from the mischievous throwing of missiles at the substantially immune from anything but a delib` crate and positive endeavor to destroy the sign. Further, inthe event a reflecting panel should become cracked or broken for anyv reason, means are provided to hold the portions of this reflecting panel in their original position, 'so that the usefulness of the sign is not materiallyimpaired. In addition', the protective grille for the reflecting medium may be shaped in substantially any desirable form' to include a proprietarydesign.

I I am aware thatl many changes may be made and 'numerous .details of constructiony may be varied through a widerange Without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereonotherwise than is necessitated bythe prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1.- In a reflecting sign, a reflecting medium, means defining an exhibitory character, and a substantially unbreakable grille associated with said means, said grille being disposed behind said means and spaced from and in front of said reflecting medium to protect the latter.

2. In a reflecting sign, a reecting medium, means defining an exhibitory character, a substantially unbreakable grille disposed in spaced and protecting relation to said reflecting medium, spacer means outside the boundaries of said character and extending between the outer marginal portions of said grille and saidrelecting medium, respectively, to maintain said grille at a distance from said reecting medium, and means holding said medium, said character, said spacer means, and said grille in assembled relation to each other.

3. In a reflecting sign, a reecting medium, means dening an exhibitoryI character, a substantially unbreakable grille associated with said means, and meshed means intimately disposed over the reecting medium to hold the same substantially in original position in the event of cracking or breakage.

4. In a reflecting sign, a backing member, a

reflecting 'element adjacent said backing member, a front panel having an opening the-rein deflning an exhibitory character, spacer means disposed between said frontpanel and said backing member and abutting the inside surface of said fron-t panel to hold said panel away from said reflecting element, grille means extending over the area of said exhibitory character and disposed between said panel and said element in spaced opposed protecting relation to said element, and means to maintain said backing member, said panel, said spacer means, said element, and said grille in assembled relation to each other.

5. In a reflecting sign, a reflecting medium, a front panel spaced therefrom and having an opening therein defining an exhibitory character, and a protective grille behind said opening and spaced from said reflecting medium.

6. In a reflecting sign, a reflecting medium, a front panel spaced therefrom and having an opening therein defining an exhibitory character, and a protective grille in the nature of a sheet of hardware cloth behind said opening and spaced from said reflecting medium.

7. In a reflecting sign, a reflecting medium, frame means thereadjacent, a fixed protective grille in said frame means spaced in front of said reflecting medium, and a panel dening an exhibitory character through which said reflecting medium is visible removably slidable in said frame in front of said grille.

8. In a reflecting sign, a backing member, a frangible reflecting element thereadjacent, a front panel provided with openings defining an exhibitory character spaced from and in front of said reflecting element, and stranded means disposed intimately over said reflecting element to hold the same in position in the event of cracking or breakage.

-9. In a reflecting sign, a backing member, a frangible mirrored reflecting 'element thereadjacent with the mirrored side next the backing member, stranded means disposed over the clean side of said element and secured to the backing member therearound to hold the element in position in the event of breakage, and a front panel having openings therein defining exhibitory means spaced from and in front of said stranded means.

10. In a reflecting sign, an imperforate backing member, a frangible mirrored reflecting element thereadjacent with the mirrored side next the backing member, and holding means of relatively ne strands disposed intimately over the clean side of said element and secured to the backing member therearound to hold the element in place in the event of breakage, and a grille-like protective member spaced from and in front of said holding means.

11. In a reflecting sign, a backing member, a reflecting element thereadjacent, a panel having openings therein forming a protective grille shaped in general to dene an exhibitory character and through which the reflecting element is visible, said panel being spaced from said reflecting element, and a screen disposed intimately over the visible side of the reflecting element to hold the same in position in the event of cracking or breakage.

12. In a reflecting sign, a reflecting medium, a front panel having an opening therein through which said reflecting medium is visible, said panel being spaced from said medium, a second panel having an opening of less size than the irst said opening defining an exhibitory character, said second panel being associated with the first said panel in a readily removable manner, and protective grille means extending across the area of said character.

13. In a reflecting sign, a reflecting medium, means to support said medium, a protective grille spaced in front of said medium, means Xedly holding said grille in position, and a panel having an opening defining an exhibitory character mountable adjacent said grille inA a readily removable manner.

LOUIS ST. CYR. 

